St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-04-02
SPARKS ANss &TEi-HENSON.
Each of Them Has Boom for the
Vice Presidency.

Special to the Globe.
WASHINGTON, April 1.-The attention of
your correspondent has been invited to the
following attempt at sarcasm by Republi-
can paper in the territory:
Land Commissioner Sparks is probable
candidate tor wee president on the Demo
cratic ticket. Ii he is really candidate we
may soon look to see the Dakota Democratic
papers eulogizing him to the utmost.
The fact is that there are four Democrats
in Illinois who are candidates. in some de-
gree, for the vice presidency. Mr.. Sparks
is by no means the weakest nor the least
popular. 1t is true that his ideas of the
proper administration Of the general land
office have not met with popular approval
in some portions Of the Northwest. but it is
also true that the sentiment which has
arisen against his policy has been created
by diSgruntled politicians, and is not gen
uile sentiment. Time has demonstrated
that the president believes in Gen. Sparks,
and intends to assume responsibility for the
policy which he has pursued. There is no
doubt that
THERE HAVE BEEN ERRORS
made by Mr.. Sparks. but they are errors of
the head and not of the heart. His pred
ecessorS have been guilty not only of
CilOIS, OuG vi IL
is not wholly untrue that some of them
have ''feathered their nests while holding
the Office No such charge has ever been
made against Mr. Sparks; and no such
charge ever will be made If he should
receive the nomination of his party for the
vice presidency, it might prove one of the
best nominations that could be made. Ii
he desires The nomination, the Democratic
papers of the territory might 90 well to
favor his candidacy. 1t is, however, highly
improbable that he is actively cultiyating
boom for that position. Gen. Sparks is
great believer in Gen. Stephenson. the first
assistant postmaster general, who is re-
garded by many as the most popular man
in the Democratic party to-day. The
probabilities are that the Democratic papers
will be speaking of
GEN. STEPHENSON
as the vice presidential candidate of his
party in the near future. The death of
Logan has made Illinois doubtful state
for the reason that he held his old home.
Southern Illinois. in the Republican ranks
by virtue of his personal power The state
being regarded as doubtful, it is natural
that vice presidential candidate should
there be selected. Gen. Stephenson has
done his duty not only by his country but
by his party. He has been active in all
matters of interest to Dakota which have
come under his supervision. No man in
official life has more honestly tried to serve
the Northwest, and that too, without any
idea of personal gain OF advancement AS
much can be said of Gen. Sparks. and with
truth. He has been in heart friendly to
the Northwest and to Dakota But there
has been formed combination of ringsters
against him for the purpose of casting dis
credit upon him, and it is but just to state
that the efforts of those
UNPRINCIPLED SHARKS
has been in too great measure successful.
The gentleman who handed me the quoted
clipping says:
l have spoken to Gen. Sparks about these
matters, and he has always heartily and hon
estly declared that he has no political ambi-
ton higher than to leave record OF honesty
for once in the history of the administration
of the general land Office. If he were 4 can
ddate for any Office he would be most likely
to bluntly say SO and seek it openly. He is
not politician IN the sense that he would
deny his aspirations in any direction. He is d
plain, blunt man, and as honest and sincere
as boy. l regard him, also, as an able eX-
ecutive officer.
In addition to the above remarks Mr.
Corey, of Walworth county, who was re-
Gently here. said:
am Republican and had a case before
Gen. Sparks and was afraid to go and see
him, but had to do SO. l found him very
agreeable gentleman. l told him that l was
agreeably disappointed, as l had expected to
find him with horns on his head and cloven
hoofs. He laughed heartily and said that
even the devil is not as black as he is painted
by the dishonest fellows who fear him and
therefore hate him.